In the day and age where grooming for men is essential, electric hair clippers have become a must-have item for all men to have! Hair clippers are quite an investment when you think about long-term usage. They are economical and can last a good few years before you decide to purchase a new one. However, the hair clipper has to be maintained and taken proper care of. The blades of the hair clipper get dull and rusty over time with constant use. 

And, when the blades become rusty, it can affect the performance of the hair clipper as the blades won’t run as smoothly. They might also lead to a painful shaving session. And, no one wants that! Therefore, the blades have to either be replaced or you have to sharpen hair clippers. If you’ve ever wondered about how to sharpen hair clippers, you are in the right place. Read on to get some useful tips on sharpening clipper blades to make them last longer.

When should you sharpen Hair Clipper Blades?

Nowadays, some electric hair clippers come with rocket science technology, that is self-sharpening blades. These ultra-cool hair clippers don’t need much maintenance or care and thus, don’t have to be sharpened. However, most do. Those electric hair clippers that don’t come with self-sharpening blades have to be sharpened and cleaned every once in a while when the blades go blunt. 

It’s easy to determine the right time when your hair clipper needs to be sharpened. If you notice that your hair clipper is not doing the job as effectively as it used to or, it tugs and pulls at your hair or cuts unevenly, then it is high time you sharpen hair clipper blades. Sometimes, depending on the condition of the hair clippers, they need to be replaced. When you notice that most of the components of the hair clipper have been affected by rust, it’s best to get a new electric hair clipper altogether. And, if only the blade needs cleaning or replacing, then you can easily do it with these tips!

How To Sharpen Hair Clippers?

Here is a complete guide on how to sharpen hair clippers. However, before you do, there are some equipment things that you will be needing in the process:

1. Screwdriver
2. Baby oil or any kind of oil
3. A sharpening stone
4. A piece of cloth
5. Isopropyl alcohol or any type of cleaning solution
6. A pair of tweezers
7. Cleaning brush (a toothbrush works fine too!)
8. Water

Step 1: Unscrewing and removing the clipper blades

Before you start, make sure you have everything you need. Once you are ready with all the equipment you will need in the process, it’s time for the first step. For the first step, you will need a screwdriver. With the help of a screwdriver, you have to unscrew and remove the blades. There must be two screws at the back of the electric hair clipper. They need to be removed in order to access the blades. At times, the blades don’t come off easily. Then, you will need to detach them from the base with the help of a pair of tweezers. 

Note: Not all electric hair clippers have the same two screws. You will have to check for other screws. No matter the number of screws, the concept of removal is the same. 

Step 2: Clean your clipper blades

In order to sharpen hair clippers, you will have to clean the clipper blades. Once the blade is off, you have to clean all the dirt and debris off your blades using a cleaning brush or a toothbrush. Make sure you clean it properly and that no amount of debris is remaining on the blades. Removing all the debris and dirt will accelerate the clipper blades and will give you a smooth shave the next time. After you’ve cleaned the blades with a toothbrush, you should wash them with isopropyl alcohol or any type of cleaning solution. But, remember to sanitize them properly.

Step 3: Dry the blades

After round one of cleaning with isopropyl alcohol, check for any other type of rust or decay. If you notice anything, clean them again with a cleaning solution o water. After you’re done, dry the blades with the help of a piece of cloth or some sort of towel. 

Also read: Biotin For Hair Growth

Step 4: Test the blades

This is a crucial step. You have to test the blades to figure out if they need more cleaning or sharpening. You have to install your clipper blades back into the hair clipper and test it out. If you’re happy and satisfied with the results, you can stop there. But, if they are still not working properly, then disassemble them again.

Step 5: Sharpening hair clipper

You will need a sharpening stone for this step. An oil stone is generally preferred. You just have to run the blades against the oil stone a couple of times and keep sharpening it till you get the desired results. After one side of the blade looks shiny, flip it over and repeat the process with the other side. Pay close attention as you don’t want to oversharpen your blades. If you don’t have an oil stone, you can also use a grinding or lapping wheel.

Step 6: Oil the clipper

Once you have covered all the other steps, the final step is to oil the clipper. We use oil to lubricate the clipper in order to sharpen hair clippers. This is a crucial step and cannot be skipped. After adding a few drops of oil to your hair clipper, you have to reassemble the clipper, tighten the screws, and test out the lubrication. After this is done, you should test out the blades and the electric hair clipper to make sure everything runs smoothly. 

Tips to maintain Hair Clipper

• You have to keep your clipper away from any sort of moisture and humidity.
• After using the cleaning solution or alcohol on the blades, remember to dry them completely.
• After every use of the hair clipper, try to put hair clipper oil on blades to prolong its functioning capacity.

All these tips will help you to sharpen hair clippers and also maintain them for a long time. 

Also read: 5 Essential Oils That Create Magic For Your Hair